£40 million development in Measham facing the axe as reverse on HS2 decision 'unlikely'

HS2 will connect London with Manchester and Leeds, passing through Birmingham and the East Midlands

Sign up to FREE email alerts from StaffordshireLive - Daily

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Read More

Related Articles

HS2 is a high-speed train line which is being built to link up cities across England and will run through 33 miles of Staffordshire by 2027.

Earlier this week, Bernard Wilson, chief executive of Measham Land Company, had a meeting with representatives from HS2.

Labelling his company's redevelopment as an enhancement for the area, Mr Wilson has suggested that the HS2 route could have serious negative implications to the small town.

Mr Wilson said: “I’m having a meeting with the council to find their views. This will have serious repercussions for the people of Measham.

“This redevelopment would have greatly enhanced the area. But from what I gathered from the meeting was that the government’s HS2 decision is unlikely to be reversed.”

Mr Wilson also explained that he is set to have a meeting with Leicestershire County Council to discuss their views on the issue.

A 1,100-metre section of canal through Measham would have reopened as part of the developers plan, at a cost of £3m.

Enthusiasts from the Ashby Canal Trust have blasted plans for the route, as they will lose this promised large stretch of waterway.

Leicestershire County Council leader Nick Rushton has already claimed that the current planned HS2 route would see Measham lose the development.

Speaking to Ashby Canal Trust, Mr Rushton said: “The HS2 route would rule out the development of Measham, which would otherwise turn it into a little Venice with a working canal.”

An original route was proposed in 2013 in Measham, however a realignment has been made and 991 people have given their feedback on the change of route to the east of Measham.

Of the responses, 50 were in support of the new route and a further 13 expressed caveated support.

But 588 respondents opposed the new route and the other 247 people didn’t have an opinion on the change.

How the Ashby Canal linked with Measham Wharf in 1911

The government has released information about what some respondents said.

It said: “Most respondents argue that the proposed route has no advantages over the previously proposed route.

“Many respondents prefer the previous proposals because they are perceived to have less of an impact on housing, which respondents argue is of more importance than businesses and planned development sites, such as the proposed development of Measham Wharf.

“A few respondents think that business interests have been prioritised at the expense of local citizens. Many speculate about reasons for the proposed route refinement, with some expressing concern about local political influence.”